Nutrition 101: From A to Zinc
If you’re like most people, you have plenty of questions about nutrition: What should I eat before and after a workout? How can I choose smarter, healthier foods at the grocery store or in a restaurant? Which vitamins should I be taking, if any? Get answers to these questions and more when you join Human Resources for the wellness series Nutrition 101: From A to Zinc. For information about the workshops included in this series and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/workshops.asp or contact Human Resources at (215) 898-5116 or suzsmith@hr.upenn.edu.

Taking Charge of Your Children’s Health and Nutrition. December 6; noon–1 p.m.; free. Getting kids to eat a nutritionally sound diet is easier said than done. Perhaps you have a child who is a picky eater, has food allergies, or is a “junk food junkie”. Get the answers you need to ensure that your children are eating the kind of varied diet that will help them lead a healthy life. You should leave the workshop feeling confident in your ability to lead your child down the road to healthy, nutritious foods and good lifelong eating habits. This workshop is led by Dr. Lisa Hark, director of the Nutrition Education and Prevention Program at Penn’s School of Medicine, and former host of TLC’s hit series Honey We’re Killing the Kids.

Professional and Personal Development
Improve your skills and get ahead in your career by taking advantage of the many development opportunities provided by Human Resources. You can pre-register for programs by visiting the online Course Catalog at www.hr.upenn.edu (click “Course Catalog” at the top of the page), or by contacting Learning and Education at (215) 898-3400.

Brown Bag Matinee—Managing Stress. December 5; noon–1 p.m.; free. Every one of us deals with stress in our lives, especially in today’s fast-moving workplace. This video presentation helps the viewer to become more aware of alternative means of coping with tension-inducing events. Discover positive techniques to alleviate tension and anxiety, from communicating more easily with coworkers to toning down your personal reactions to stressful situations.

Career Focus Brown Bag—Negotiating a Salary. December 14; noon–1 p.m.; free. Have questions about moving up to your next job within Penn or elsewhere? Learn how to communicate your salary requirements effectively, and how to identify other important factors when considering a job offer. Leaving a position professionally is always important; we will also talk about giving notice, wrapping up and leaving your job in great shape for the incoming staff person.

Work-Life Balance
Dealing with the demands of work and your personal life can be challenging. These free workshops led by experts from Penn’s Employee Assistance Program and Work & Family Benefit provider offer information and support for your personal and professional life challenges. Note that workshops include an optional Q&A from 12:30 to 1 p.m. For information or to pre-register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/workshop.asp or call (215) 573-2471.

Dealing with Sibling Rivalries. December 5; noon–1 p.m; free. Explore the dynamics of sibling relationships and get guidance on how to handle rivalries as they develop. Topics include the realities of sibling rivalry, how to avoid the onset of sibling rivalry, how to win the sibling wars by teaching negotiation, and preparing an only child for a brother or sister.

Special Winter Vacation
As you start planning for the upcoming holiday season, don’t forget that Penn grants faculty and staff a Special Winter Vacation between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day each year. This year, the special winter vacation days will be December 24, 26, 27, 28 and 31. Keep in mind that some employees may be needed to report to work for part or all of this period so that departmental operations can continue; in these cases, the Special Winter Vacation may be rescheduled for another time. The Special Winter Vacation policy is online at www.hr.upenn.edu/policy/policies/608.asp.